1
: with all one's might
the soul strives amain to live and workR. W. Emerson
2
archaic
a
: at full speed
b
: in great haste
3
archaic : to a high degree : exceedingly
they whom I favour thrive in wealth amainJohn Milton

Examples of amain in a Sentence

conflicting ideals that social philosophers have struggled amain to reconcile

Word History

First Known Use

1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of amain was in 1550

Dictionary Entries Near amain

Cite this Entry

“Amain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amain. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

amain

adverb
1
: with all one's might
2
a
: at full speed
b
: in great haste
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